Playing at your peak performance levels means managing your thoughts and emotions to your best advantage. While most people think these are two separate entities, they are entwined. In order to have control over your swing and your game you need to have control of your thoughts and feelings.<\/p>\n
It’s not your feelings that cause you problems. It’s the undisciplined decisions that you make as a result of focusing on the feelings.<\/p>\n
How do you control your thoughts? You are the only thinker in your mind. It is up to you to choose what you want to think.<\/p>\n
The only thing you can control is yourself. Do not give any mental or emotional energy to what you cannot control. This includes the condition of the golf course, the weather conditions, your playing partners’ behavior or their scores. Spend your energy on preparing for your shot, sticking to your game plan, using your own awareness, and changing negative perceptions to positive thoughts.<\/p>\n
Tips for having control of your game\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Never give up.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0Make a plan and stick to it.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Let go of expectations.<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0Give yourself permission to make mistakes.<\/p>\n 5. \u00a0After a mistake, slow down and breathe deeply.<\/p>\n 6. \u00a0Let go of old habits of being concerned with score.<\/p>\n 7. \u00a0Know your skill level and play percentage shots.<\/p>\n 8. \u00a0Be flexible. Golf is full of surprises.<\/p>\n 9. \u00a0Use positive self-talk throughout the round.<\/p>\n 10. Use the same pre-shot routine on every shot.<\/p>\n 11 .Give every shot and putt 100% of your effort and focus.<\/p>\n 12. Maintain your arousal level.<\/p>\n 13. Play by \u201cfeel\u201d instead of mechanics.<\/p>\n 14. Give up judgment and analysis on the course.<\/p>\n 15. Play from your heart.<\/p>\n 16. Play for your own enjoyment.<\/p>\n One of the mental keys to playing in the zone is having control of your thoughts and emotions. To play well in a golf tournament or in a match where you are competing against your friends, you need to have control of your emotions.<\/p>\n The pressure of a golf situation has to do with your perception. You can decide to thrive on the pressure (being in the hunt) or become nervous and anxious (fearful of the results). It all depends on your internal dialogue. Choose to shift your thoughts into the present by focusing on creating a good shot or putt. Concentrate your attention on your pre-shot routine to move you into the flow, and \u201cJust Do It.\u201d<\/p>\n Play \u201cin the zone\u201d With Joan<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Entrain Your Heart & Mind for Peak Performances<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n To train your brain to play your best golf, listen to the Positive Mental Imagery guided imagery CDs, available at www.pmi4.com\/cart<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Playing at your peak performance levels means managing your thoughts and emotions to your best advantage. While most people think these are two separate entities, they are entwined. In order to have control over your swing and your game you … Continue reading